garage door openers

There should be two limit switch adjustments accessible on the unit somewhere. The one I worked on last had them as plastic knobs sticking out of the bottom of the unit. One is the UP limit switch and the other is the DOWN limit switch. Choose the one for the direction you'd like the door to start going from its current position, e.g., if the door's open, choose UP. Turn the knob a few turns in the direction shown for the knob. The door may start moving suddenly, so make sure you're clear of the door's path! Turn the knob a few turns each time and let the door finish moving before turning it again. If the light on the unit starts clicking on and off, you've gone past the max stop - turn the switch a turn or two the other direction and the clicking should stop. At that point, you've set the limit switch properly. Now, set the door in motion the other direction and wait for it to stop. At that point, adjust the other knob in the direction shown and watch for door movement. Do as you did last time - a few turns and wait for the door to stop; when you get clicking, turn the knob back a turn or two. Once you done this, I suggest opening and closing the door a few times, watching to see if it opens as far as you desire it to go without getting the clicking. Also, test the jamb safety portion by putting a block of wood on the floor where the door closes. When the door hits the wood, the jamb safety should sense the obstruction and immediately reverse direction. I hope this is helpful to you. Jim D in Heathsville, VA

You'll see a similar post in "Doors and Windows". More information there- titled "garage door opener sticks in cold weather" . Check it out before adjusting the limit switches. If the door was working before, and now only opens halfway, it's not a likely limit switch problem.

Could the light beams, or their reflectors, that control the emergency safety stop be out of line. That would prevent the door from closing. Of course, an older system might not have these safety features.